Page 16 of Hermes
“Ahhh. If it isn’t Hermes, my brother’s little servant,” Hades announced as I stood before him.
Persephone’s head turned at the mention of my name. Her eyes locked with mine. When she saw me, her whole persona completely changed, as if she had come to life. Those gleaming eyes of hers widened. She must have realized I was here to save her, that I was her only hope and means of salvation.
“I am far from a servant, Hades,” I coolly stated. “In fact, I would watch what you say to me, for I am here to actually offer you a way out of this mess you have created. A way to avoid the wrath of both Zeus and Demeter. I don’t see anyone else coming down here to strike a negotiation in order to save you.”
“Save me!?” The King of the Underworld nearly busted out in laughter. “And what exactly will I need saving from? Do you think I’m afraid of your father and that powerless cultivator?”
It seemed Hades was just as stubborn as Demeter. Maybe this was a dreadful idea to begin with. Perhaps I should have tried reasoning with Demeter first, instead of him. But I no longer had that option. I had to sway Hades. There was no other choice in the matter. Either come back to the surface with Persephone or let humanity suffer until every mortal of the Earth would starve to death.
“Yes. You should be afraid of Zeus. He has already sided with his sister, Demeter. He sees the damage she is causing to the soil, fruits, and crops of the world. And she will not budge until Persephone is returned and back under her care.”
“You cannot be that senseless,” Persephone spoke up for the first time, eying Hades beside her with a scowl on her face. “Clearly, the King of the Gods is giving you a way out by sending Hermes here to speak with you. This is his one and only chance he is giving you. Otherwise, Zeus will likely have to come down here to the Underworld himself, to retrieve me. And I’m sure he will not take it lightly if you have to waste his time by making him journey far to get here. Surely, you will be punished in some shape or form for disobeying him.”
I was rendered speechless. Evidently, there was more to the beguiling damsel than met the eye. She was being just as persuasive as I was. But I was glad we now had two voices in the room trying to reason with Hades.
“Not to mention if Zeus arrived and saw Persephone in this condition, he would be angered by you treating her so poorly,” I added.
“I am not starving the wretch, if that’s what you think,” Hades clarified. “I have been practically begging her to eat. She is the one refusing any and all meals I have presented to her.”
“Is this true?” I diverted my attention over to her.
She hesitantly nodded.
Persephone really was something else. I had to admire her for being so steadfast in giving Hades a hard time for kidnapping her. Most people would be fearful of the King of the Underworld and give in to any and all of his demands, but not this young maiden. She had a spunk to her that I was beginning to admire.
“Nevertheless, whether you are to directly blame or not for her being this frail, Zeus will not care either way. Because this entire situation is your fault to begin with, he will not let you reason with him,” I explained, returning my gaze back to my uncle.
Hades sat on his throne, rubbing his chin, deep in thought, casting glares at both me and Persephone while he was processing the predicament he was in. Hopefully Persephone and mine’s words were enough to get him to release her. At any rate, I would find out soon enough.
“Very well.” Hades threw his hands in the air. “I will release the vile vermin. She has proven to be more trouble than she is worth, anyway.”
A smirk grazed Persephone’s lips. However, I could maintain my stoicism and not elicit any signs of me being elated over this. If I wanted Hades to follow through on this promise of his, I needed to hide my cheerfulness from him.
I stepped forward, thinking I could release Persephone from her chains on my own, but Hades held his hand up, causing me to pause dead in my tracks.
“Wait!” he commanded. “I will personally bring her to Demeter and Zeus myself. Just give me a few hours to make the necessary preparations and I will return her on my chariot.”
All I could do was nod. If this was his only condition, then so be it. What could be the harm with keeping her held here for just a few more hours? It was better than having her remain in this damp Underworld for an eternity. And so I allowed him to do this.
“Very well. But just a few hours. I will run ahead and inform Zeus and Demeter of this plan,” I stated.
“Yes. Run along and let them know,” Hades remarked, before he turned his head to Persephone. “And you… the least you can do is join me for a final meal, since this will be your last day spent in the Underworld.”
Persephone rolled her eyes at him. “I suppose so. I don’t see the harm now that I’ll return to the surface soon.”
But little did we both know of the true harm that this would actually cause. If only I had further persuaded Hades to let Persephone return to the upper world with me, it would have changed the entire trajectory of their future… together.
Chapter 9
Weallwaitedpatientlyin Zeus’s palace. The four of us sat at the dais. Zeus and Hera were in the center while Demeter and I sat next to them on the outside. It seemed as though it had been hours that we remained here, anticipating Hades’ arrival with Persephone.
“How much longer must he keep us waiting?” Demeter asked with an indignation in her tone.
Hera then glanced in my direction. “Hermes… you said Hades informed you he only needed a few hours to prepare. So, what could be taking him so long?”
I nodded. “Yes. He told me he only needed a few hours. He should be here any minute. I’m not sure what could be taking him so…”
But before I could finish my thought, the massive doors at the end of the hall opened, and much to my relief, Hades and Persephone came forward towards us.
